The beloved baby has a space

Chapter 753 Rumors are not credible

The jade pendant in the box was temporarily kept by the carefree prince. After it was checked and confirmed to be safe, a decision would be made on whether to keep it for Ayu or use it for other purposes.

Ayu said she didn't care, because she actually had plenty of jade, and even more.

She has quite a few that are of better quality than this.

"Everyone, split up and see if there are any other clues here," said the Carefree King. "Ayu, you and Zizhao go together. Tangyuan, Chigou, and Chitu, you go with them. Chiding will be in charge of guarding and preventing any unexpected situations. Chenyi and Chener, you go with Chiding. As for Lord Wan, you can handle it yourself."

City Lord Wan nodded: "No problem."

"Then I'll go with you guys too." Shui Miao, who hadn't been assigned to any group, immediately moved closer to Wang Wulang, thinking of joining them.

Wang Wulang took a step back and stood behind Ayu, looking at her warily: "Speak as you please, but don't get so close to me, or I'll think you're interested in me."

Shui Miao's eyes widened: "How did you know?"

Wang Wulang: "!!!"

Wow, it really is!

He quickly moved to the other side of Ayu, his face filled with terror.

Shui Miao immediately objected: "What do you mean by that? It's as if I'm begging for something. Besides, if I wanted to, the surrounding tribes would all have to listen to me. What's there to complain about?"

“You’ve misunderstood, little sister.” Wang Wulang waved his hands repeatedly. “I’m not looking down on you. At least you have a family business to inherit, but I have nothing. I’m just thinking that your family lives in a very remote area. If we get married in the future, it won’t be easy for you to come back to your parents’ home. So let’s just forget about it.”

"You wish! I'm not going to stay at your house!"

“See? This is the fundamental conflict between us, so we’re not suitable.” Wang Wulang nodded, agreeing with his own point of view. “It’s better to keep our distance from the beginning to avoid misunderstandings.”

Ayu next to him: "..."

Putting everything else aside, your brother is thinking quite far ahead.

No one took this little incident seriously, since Shui Miao looked about the same age as A Yu and much younger than Wang Wulang.

However, the local customs in Jiangsai are much more open, and there are not many restrictions on girls. It is not uncommon for girls to start talking about their views on choosing a partner when they are eight or nine years old, so Lord Wan and others did not think anything of it.

On the contrary, Chigou and Chitu glanced at Shui Miao several times, and for some reason felt that she was very similar in personality to their young master and Miss Ayu.

They're at an age where they don't understand anything, yet they're already thinking about these things.

"Achoo!" Qin Huai, who was far away in Wanning City, was walking out of the Hanlin Academy when he suddenly sneezed loudly.

Just then, Eunuch Xi happened to pass by and saw this, so he asked with concern, "What's wrong with Scholar Qin? Have you caught a cold?"

It's summer now, there's no reason for it to still be cold.

Qin Huai: "No, I probably just caught a chill from the wind when I came out. Eunuch Xi, where are you headed?"

As his name suggests, Eunuch Xi was in charge of relaying orders and announcements in the palace, and these were all auspicious events.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager bestowed upon him the name "Eunuch Xi," which has been used to this day.

The old eunuch said with a smile, "Speaking of which, this matter is somewhat related to Qin Hanlin." He was waiting for Qin Huai to ask, but unfortunately Qin Huai had no curiosity and didn't even give him a curious look.

Instead, it was Eunuch Xi, who had been waiting for a long time, who couldn't help but speak up: "Prefect Wang has made a great contribution in Chang'an County. It is said that he single-handedly uncovered a major corruption case in the area, and even brought down the prefect! His Majesty is overjoyed and says he will give Prefect Wang a great reward!"

"His Majesty is still pondering what kind of reward would be most appropriate for Prefect Wang. Qin Hanlin, do you think we should go to the Imperial Study and discuss this with His Majesty?"

Originally, Eunuch Xi was not supposed to tell anyone about this, but Emperor Minghua hinted that he should go through the Hanlin Academy and "discreetly" reveal the news to Qin Huai, and then let Qin Huai go over there.

Emperor Minghua was unaware of Qin Huai's existence before, and even after he found out, his feelings for him were not very deep, since the father and son had not spent much time together.

Later, when he became a Hanlin Academician, Empress Qin became much warmer towards him. Emperor Minghua also bumped into Empress Qin going to the Hanlin Academy several times. Over time, Emperor Minghua realized that if he wanted to see his empress more often, he needed to build a good relationship with his son.

Qin Huai didn't want to go. His second uncle's great fortune was due to his own abilities, and it shouldn't be superfluous for others to interfere.

Moreover, he should have avoided such matters.

But when he thought about the corrupt officials in the court who were lazy and didn't like others to make progress, he worried that if he didn't go, his second uncle's credit might be stolen or something might be twisted.

Therefore, he changed his pace and said to Eunuch Xi, "Thank you for the reminder. If you don't mind, I will definitely invite you for tea another day."

Eunuch Xi was one of the few people in the palace who openly expressed his affection for him and Ayu. Ayu was always happy to see Eunuch Xi, and Qin Huai also developed a fondness for him because of this. During the time Ayu was away, he also trusted Eunuch Xi a lot.

Eunuch Xi chuckled, "Of course, of course. I have other matters to attend to. Can Scholar Qin find his way to the Imperial Study?"

"nature."

After he left, Eunuch Xi happily pocketed the good news and headed to the palace where the Empress and Empress Dowager were.

If the Empress can be summoned, the Emperor will be pleased. If the Empress Dowager can be summoned, it will keep some of the older ministers who speak ill of the Emperor in check.

Actually, if you ask Eunuch Xi, even if Qin Hanlin and the Empress Dowager went, they wouldn't be as good as the old lady of the Wang family.

A month after Ayu set off, several of Wang's grandsons jointly wrote a petition to request their mother to be granted an official title, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.

Instead, the Empress Dowager suddenly issued an imperial edict, saying that Old Lady Wang had raised a family of loyal ministers and generals, and bestowed upon her the title of Old Lady.

The fact that she was a second-rank imperial consort left everyone speechless with astonishment.

When Qin Huai arrived at the Imperial Study, he overheard an old minister shouting hoarsely, "Your Majesty, that Prefect Wang has only been in Chang'an for a short time, yet he has already made such achievements. Who knows if he is truly upright and incorruptible? What if he has sided with the corrupt side and wronged the other? Your Majesty, rumors are not to be believed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, we still need to think this over carefully. That Prefect Wang comes from a humble family and probably trembles with fear when he sees an official before the imperial examinations. How could a new official be so decisive and efficient? If there is no foul play involved, how can we gain people's trust?"

Qin Huai stepped inside and said gently, "It is said in Wanning City that Prime Minister Cui is discerning and upright, and has done good deeds throughout his life, which has earned him great respect."

Upon being pointed out, Prime Minister Cui couldn't help but straighten his back, saying "Not at all," while secretly observing Emperor Minghua's expression, his pride written all over his face.

Unexpectedly, Qin Huai then added, "Now I realize that rumors are indeed unreliable; it's best to see for yourself."

Prime Minister Cui's face immediately turned a deep shade of liver: "You—arrogant brat!"

(End of this chapter)